Apparatus for carbonating and dispensing liquids



Dec. 29, 1931. 1,838,286

APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING AND DISPENSING LIQUIDS P. c. RUDAT Filed Nov. 20, 1928 Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNETEE STTES PATENT; OFFICE PAUL CARL RUDAT, F GALVESTON, TEXAS, ASSIG-NOR TQ TRIPLE XXX COMPANY, OF GALVESTON, TEXAS APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING AN D DISPENSING LIQUIDS Application filed November 20, 1928. Serial No. 320,577.

My invention relates to an apparatus for use with dispensing carbonators and is concerned particularly with the water connections to the dispensing tank.

In installations for dispensing carbonated water or other beverages, there are frequent- 1y used a tank or container for the water; a tank for the carbonating gas; and some means of replenishing the water when it is eX- hausted. The water supply is commonly from the water main and the pressure is so variable that the automatic carbonating device employed with devices of this character will not operate uniformly or satisfactorily.

It is my object to provide an installation whereby the water may be supplied to the dispensing tank under practically uniform pressure.

It is also an object to be able to employ the pressure of the carbonating gas in forcing the water to the dispensing container, and to be able to replenish the water supply at any time with no change except the manipulation of valves in the supply line.

The principal novel feature of my invention includes a cock or fitting to be used with the water supply line and in the particular construction and arrangement of the parts comprising 11y improved apparatus.

Referring to the drawings herewith, Fig. 1 is an assembly view in side elevation showing an installation whereby my invention may be carried out;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through a litting connected with the construction of my device.

In the dispensing of drinks at soda fountains and the like it is customary to have a dispensing tank or container 1 which has means for cooling the interior thereof and has one or more faucets or outlets 2 for the carbonated materials within the container. In the carrying out of my invention the interior of the dispensing tank is not shown but it is understood that it has the usual automatic carbonating devices therein so that the water or other liquid discharged from the dispensing tank is properly mixed with the gas andcarbonated.

The gas for carbonation is contained within the usual tank 3 in which carbonating gases are ordinarily sold, the gas being under high pressure therein. This gas tank is connected through pipes 4 and 5 with the automatic carbonating mechanism within the dispensing tank. The pipe 4 is also con nected at its lower end with a pipe 6 leading to a water container 7.

The water container 7 is a closed vessel in which the water may be placed. It has at its upper end a fitting 8, which is threaded at its lower end 9 for screwing within the upper end of the container. The construction of this fitting is shown best in Fig. 2. It has an opening 10 therein extending downwardly into the container. This opening is threaded for engagement with a tube shown at 11 in Fig. 1. This tube extends to the lower end of the container and furnishes an outlet as well as an inlet for the water which is to be supplied to the dispensing tank. The upper end of the passage 10 is directed laterally and the fitting is formed with a threaded nipple 24 to connect with a T-shaped coupling 12.

To this coupling is connected a water supply pipe 13 which may be understood as extending to any source of water supply, such as the usual city main. A valve 14 in the water supply pipe enables the operator to close off this supply at any time.

The coupling 12 also has a pipe 15 connected therewith which connects with a pipe 16 extending to the lower part of the dispensing tank 1. A hand-operated valve 17 in the pipe 15 controls the passage of liquid through this pipe.

The opposite end of the fitting 8 is also threaded at 18 for connection with a coupling 19 which is in turn connected with the pipe 6. A faucet 20 on the pipe 6 enables opening or closing of said pipe as deslred. A valve 2-1 in the line a leading from the gas tank enables the gas supply to be out 01f at any desired time.

The installation, as shown in Fig. 1 and as just described, enables the operator to supply water for carbonation to the dispensing tank under uniform pressure at all times and has the further advantage that the water supply in the container may be replenished with the simple manipulation of the valves connected with said container.

For example, when the container 7 is to be filled with water the two valves 17 and 21 will be closed. The valve 14 will then be opened allowing the water to discharge into the container 7. The faucet 20 will be open so that when the container is full it will discharge hrough said faucet. This will indicate when it is time to close off the valve 14. The faucet is then also closed and the two valves 17 and 21 will be opened. The gas pressure from the tank 0 will then be exerted upon the liquid in the container 7 forcing the water out through the pipes 11, 15 and 16 to the dispensing tank, and this pressure from the gas upon the water in the container will be a practically constant one.

This arrangement allows the proper and accurate adjustment of the automatic carbonating devices within the dispensing tank so that a uniform quality of the carbonated water or liquid may be obtained at all times without difficulty. The usual objectionable features found because of the unequal pressure of water from the cityconnections will be entirely eliminated. The principal advantage in the construction lies in the uniform pressure obtained and in the ease and convenience by which the supply may be re plenished when desired.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, a water container, a gas supply tank, a fitting closing the upper end of said container, a water supply connected to said fitting, a tube Within said container connected through said fitting with said water supply pipe, a dispensing tank, connections between said gas tank, said dispensing tank and said Water container, and valvesinsaidconnectionwhereby pressure of gas from said gas tank may serve to force water from said container to said dispensing tank and also serve to supply gas to said dispensing tank.

2. In a device of the character described,

- a water container, a gas supply tank, a fitting closing the upper end of said container, a water supply connected to said fitting, a tube within said container connected through said fitting with said water supply pipe, a dispensing tank, connections between said ga PAUL CARL RUDAT. 

